TRU Technology Steel Series ampliiers S44/S500 and SSLD6 line driver

[3.5max6spd]

Hello folks. Straight from TRU, starting the year with the new Steel series amplifiers to audition, just released. They are not installed yet, so i posted some pics and some info of them for introduction.

http://www.trutechnology.com/product...series001.html

You may notice changes to what was posted on the site last year vs the production models-mainly the Mono numbers.

General info:- Full-Range Class AB Amplifiers
- Dual Mono Design
- 1,000+ Watts of Output Devices
- 2 oz. “Plated Hole” PC Board
- High Current Unregulated Bi-Polar Power Supply
- Discrete amplifier circuitry
- 1% Metal Film Resistors
- (16) TO-3P Audio Output Devices
- (8) I.R.® 98Amp rated Power Inverter for Efficiency
- Dual sets of High-Speed rectifier diodes
- (12) 50 Volt 1,200mf Capacitors on Rails
- 12dB Hi/Low pass filter (35Hz ~ 350Hz)
- (1) 80mm Intake Fan, (2) 80mm fans on the Mono
- Internal Heatsink
- Variable Low Frequency Boost Circuit
- Optional Remote Bass control knob
- 4 Gauge Power/Ground Input
- 8 Gauge Speaker Wire Output
- Built in California, USA


S44 (srp $799)
65 x 4 @4ohm, 200 x 2 bridged DUAL MONO
13 3/8"x 2.5" x 9 3/8"

S500(srp $799)
325 x 1@4ohm, 500 x 1 @2ohm
Same dimmensions as 4ch





Now what I've been told. Both amps are basically identical outside of delivery in terms of the power supply. The 4ch has a dedicated power supply for each pair of channels, when bridged to 2 chs its effectively a DUAL MONO amplifier.
The mono though rated for 500 rms @2ohm, realistically can deliver in the 700rms real world FULL RANGE. Now judging by the power supply alone in comparison to say an Arc xxk4150 which i'm very familiar with... that is rated for 320rms x2 bridged on a single power supply, this is not hard to believe.
I'll follow up later on after install and some listening, compared to the LRx5.1k thats in there now as a base.

[fredridge]

I can't decide if I like the way they look or not, but if you set up a nose in the middle with the two fans on the top one and single on the bottom you will have a face....

On a real note, can't wait to hear the review


edit- I like the looks of the sides

[3.5max6spd]

As you can see the forced air setup is more serious on the Mono for obvious reasons, rendering both chasis to look different visually because of the fans and vents positions. Certainly a more industrial look to the finish on these anodized aluminum chasis, rather raw feel to them as well. All in all product was blemish free , well put together and well packaged. It would be an understatement that the goods in this package is expected in the performance, design and parts used dept...so far TRU has let us know that at this price point they are not skimping on the power supply...and thats the focus on this review, as what I've come to expect from my experiences with the T/TO3series and the Billets is a sense of bottomless headroom in their amps.

I must say, the dimmensions on these bad boys for a class a/b make under the seat stealth installs a good option, as well as the one sided wiring for such location.

[azngotskills]

WOW thats news to me Do you know if they will be making a 5/6 channel?

[300Z]

Those look really nice Manny.

Question tho, where's the mounting feet on those amps?

Didn't knew that TRU was still around.

Leo

[skylar112]

I wasn't too keen on it the first time I saw a picture of it on the website, but I don't think it looks that bad. Its minimalistic basic looking, and tons of opening for cooling. Looks pretty serious. If its anything like its other amps it should be a beast. I'm dying to hear what you think about them. I might convert. Who knows.

[3.5max6spd]

Originally Posted by azngotskills

WOW thats news to me Do you know if they will be making a 5/6 channel?

No sir, only these two models. You can think of the Full range Mono in terms of a Gennie Miniblock/Monoblock in terms of possible applications.

Originally Posted by 300Z

Question tho, where's the mounting feet on those amps?

Didn't knew that TRU was still around.

Leo

The mounting feet are in the box, simply a pair of chasis length L shaped anodized aluminum strips fastened by 2 screws. They utilize existing chasis screws to fasten, so its optional to use them if you'd like to or not.

They are still around. Small company. Last year they spent the year on production of the Billets, this year its the Steel series. I take it from my convo with John Yi that it may be 2009 before we see new Coppers. Not that I could afford'm

[3.5max6spd]

Originally Posted by skylar112

I wasn't too keen on it the first time I saw a picture of it on the website, but I don't think it looks that bad. Its minimalistic basic looking, and tons of opening for cooling. Looks pretty serious. If its anything like its other amps it should be a beast. I'm dying to hear what you think about them. I might convert. Who knows.

Most certainly not an eye pleaser like the machined works of art their other amps are. This is more of a mid-fi priced amplifier, with its basis on performance. To think about it, you dont know TRU for being on the smaller size of things for class a/b amps, so i dont think these dimmensions could've been pulled off with another chasis. One things for sure, those 80 mm fans are no joke, prob biggest i've seen on a caraudio amplifier. TRU claims they are ultra quiet and smooth and on the pricey side of things for a case fan, we shall see. One things for sure, there are vents everywhere, so the name of the game is get the heat out.

[3.5max6spd]

Well I take pics of guts from every amp I get my hands on, whats to hide..right?

Nice and tall 105degree caps, dual power supplies, power supply nicely separated from the other end, massive heatsink & fan considering the size of the board, lots to see in the preamp/output section as well but covered by that other pc board...so far I like what I see.

[3.5max6spd]

For 'beef' comparisons sake...arc 4150cxl guts...

[drake78]

The CB layout reminds me of the old school adcom amps.

[Tonyguy]

wow, i like these. I can't wait for a review.

[invecs]

Originally Posted by drake78

The CB layout reminds me of the old school adcom amps.

Precisely...plus a line driver...kinda like the adcoms with the blt.

[3.5max6spd]

****UPDATE****

So my audiocontrol Three.1 was basically a glorified sub volume knob all along, as using the line driver rendered it useless regardless of countless trials of managing the noise-i was getting high pitched engine whine, to the point i'd have the unit on very low voltage levels-which suffered headroom and inherently still produced a tad of noise anyways. A simple swap in the glovy for the SSLD6....GONE!!!! I'm even tapped into the HU for power/ground as thats how I last left it as I was getting same results regarless where i ran power/ground with the Three.1.... No issues with the SSLD6- NO Alt whine, went up to half gain and noticed no incremental noise floor, but left it ~1/8 of the way up and its already much louder and my midbass is being driven a little harder at lower volume listening. Good Stuff so far, i'll let you know if anything changes later on.

[burnurass]

Originally Posted by 3.5max6spd

****UPDATE****

So my audiocontrol Three.1 was basically a glorified sub volume knob all along, as using the line driver rendered it useless regardless of countless trials of managing the noise-i was getting high pitched engine whine, to the point i'd have the unit on very low voltage levels-which suffered headroom and inherently still produced a tad of noise anyways. A simple swap in the glovy for the SSLD6....GONE!!!! I'm even tapped into the HU for power/ground as thats how I last left it as I was getting same results regarless where i ran power/ground with the Three.1.... No issues with the SSLD6- NO Alt whine, went up to half gain and noticed no incremental noise floor, but left it ~1/8 of the way up and its already much louder and my midbass is being driven a little harder at lower volume listening. Good Stuff so far, i'll let you know if anything changes later on.

SWEEEEEET....can't wait to throw mine in this weekend

[alphakenny1]

nice man. I know how excited you were about getting these. I'll agree with skylar that i wasn't to fond of the amps initially on tru's website but your pics makes them not too bad. i love amps that have all connections on one side. great wait to hear the review man.

btw, do the amps come with a birthsheet? im curious to know the real output on these bad boys.

[dual700]

Originally Posted by invecs

Precisely...plus a line driver...kinda like the adcoms with the blt.

Adcom copycat!!!
J/K!
Lookin nooiceee!

[3.5max6spd]

Originally Posted by burnurass

SWEEEEEET....can't wait to throw mine in this weekend

Hey Jeff, i got the amps in bud, you HAVE to come take a listen

[3.5max6spd]

Originally Posted by alphakenny1

nice man. I know how excited you were about getting these. I'll agree with skylar that i wasn't to fond of the amps initially on tru's website but your pics makes them not too bad. i love amps that have all connections on one side. great wait to hear the review man.

btw, do the amps come with a birthsheet? im curious to know the real output on these bad boys.

No birthsheet Peter. Though I was told the 4ch does in the 80's wpc stereo, and the mono pumps out in the 700 range at 2ohm mono though rated for 500rms....considering both are indentical in the powersupply side of things, it can safely be assumed that theres a healthy amount of headroom outside the rated specs on both amps. After wiring them earlier today, lets just say I'm a happy camper powerwise compared to the Lrx5.1k and I've yet to finalize any gain settings so far. Cojones these do have

[skylar112]

I can't wait to hear these next weekend. I'm sure they will be everything you say and more. Maybe I will ditch the Profile Ultra4 for one.

[3.5max6spd]

Originally Posted by skylar112

I can't wait to hear these next weekend. I'm sure they will be everything you say and more. Maybe I will ditch the Profile Ultra4 for one.

Well you are just the about the second most experienced person when it comes to my Dyn setup and its changes since the system has been in, as well as having auditioned every amp that has pushed them from the Lrx6.9, The Diamond D7's and the LRx5.1k plus your help in the tuning dept...so your feedback and impressions would most def be welcome.

I'm not going to go into any detail on the sonic changes as rightfully so I have not auditioned them no where enough to comment on them. I'm be in there tonite pitch black out pissing off some neighbors with some demo material

I'll follow up with a formal review in a weeks time after I dial everything right and I put some miles on them.

[azngotskills]

How about some initial impressions? Nothing we will hold your word to

[3.5max6spd]

Originally Posted by azngotskills

How about some initial impressions? Nothing we will hold your word to

Extension...theres a bit more air and sparkle on the top end, midbass appears tighter...by surprise as I heard resonance out of my door that I havent heard in quite a long time
On the few tracks I've thown at it so far, nothing really bass heavy-mainly female vocal tracks that John had sent me. Keep in mind I listened to the Audison for a good 30 minutes before installing-with the SSLD6 already in place at the time. I'll better judge tonite when its dead quiet out and I can throw some bass tracks at'm.

[FoxPro5]

Why the line driver, Manny man?? That Panny Tube only go for 2v or something?

Definitely love the layout on those.

Anyone else see on the box how it's "made in the USA", yet the board is Mexico and China?

[OgreDave]

I can live with parts being outsourced but all assembly, etc. done in USA. Personally I'm over all that anyways .. you can get quality anywhere, so why stereotype either way.

Anyways, the guts look nice .. those amps look suited for a hide me in a dark cramped area install, lol.